Freight bracing device



F 1949- w. F. EISENSMITH 2,462,619

FREIGHT BRACING DEVICE Filed March 26, 1946 Q I INVENTOB:

Wil a/12]. Elke/2.322116 'A TTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNITED S TAT ES PATENT F FICE FREIGHT BRACING'IDEVICE William F.'Eisensmith, Penns Grove, N..iJ.

Application March26, 1946, Serial No. 657,212

(Cl. I05369) 9 Claims.

This invention has general reference to load braces or means and, more particularly, those of the species in the form of a barrier serviceable to prevent accidental shifting of stacked freight and the like during transit, or incidental to shunting of a car, truck, or other means for transportation from one loading location to another.

The primary aim of this invention is the provision of an improved form of bracing barrier, of the above indicated type including novel holding units which are equally applicable to temporary bulkheads, gates, and analogous means useful in box-cars, trucks and similar vehicles, which can be installed without the use of nails, cleats, or other conventional retention means.

Another aim of this invention is the provision of an improved brace-holder or unit, of the species indicated in the preceding paragraph, for attachment to partitions, barriers or gates, for holding stacked cargo and'freight in place, with positive assurance-such partition, barrier or gate will be rigidly retained in service position against movement in any direction.

A further aim of this invention is the provision of an improved brace unit which embodies novel means effective to positively resist transportation shocks imparted from the load end and which will firmly hold the load against shifting due to shocks coming from the opposite or rearend, or otherwise, thereof.

A still further aim of this invention is to provide an improved bracing unit including a reciprocatory, wall, floor, roof, or analogous, surface biting element which is capable of equally effective service irrespective of the active direction in which the unit be attached to a partition, barrier or gate; and without unduly marring the surface of the wall, etc, with which it coacts when installed in service position.

Still another aim of this invention is the provision of an improved bracing unit comprising but two main working parts that are easy to manufacture and which are of durable construction, whereby the cost of replacements is reduced to a minimum, while the wall or other surface biting element or elements are easily slid out of active position and held against movement when the attached partition, barrier or gate, is not in use.

While the foregoing definitions are indicative in a general way of the aims of this invention, other objects with ancillary advantages will be evident to'those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction, arrangement and operation of the meanshereinafterfully disclosed, but'it will also be appreciatedthat said invention is susceptible 'of other embodiments and applications .as well as structurally modified forms', than the'one chosen for illustration, and all of which come equally well within theterms and-scope of the concluding claims.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings:

Fig.1 is a transverse section of "a" box-car body showing the application of theimproved load bracing units, of this invention,to a'freight retention gate, with the latter in active position.

Fig. 3 is a larger scale fragmentary elevation of one of the brace units active position.

Fig. 3 is a section taken onithe plane'designated .by the angled-arrows III-III inFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a still larger scale fragmentary view ofthe right hand portion of 'Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 5* is a fragmentary perspective view of the toothed or penetrating end of the' gate'holder hereinafter fully described.

In describing the'form of this invention exemplified by-the sheet of drawings herewith, specific terms will be employed for the sake of 'clarity, but it'is to be understood the scope of said invention is not thereby limited; eachsuch term being intended to embrace all equivalents which perform the same function for an analogous purpose.

Referring first to Fig. 1, more particularly, Which depicts a cross-sectionof a typical freight or pox-car including a bottom or floor 6, opposed sheet metal side outer walls 1 with wood lining 8, and a roof 9; while-boxed or stacked cases of barrels and-merchandise are designated by'the reference character I0, whereas ll indicates sealed containers.

A-load protecting bulkhead, partition, or gate is comprehensively designated by the reference numeral [2 the same consisting of spacedhorizontal members 13 with end'members I34 and a medially-located vertical member [4 that are rigidly connected together in rectangular'formation, for example, by suitable securing means IS, in an obvious'manner. It isto be noted that the end portions of the gate l2 are reinforced by proximately-spaced inwardly-located additional vertical members l6 which serve to P e, Wit-h the end members l4, substantial and rigid support for the improved bracing devices or units H, of this-invention.

Each bracing unit H, as best understoodfrom FigszZ and 3,'comprises a channel-section'shell or keeper l8 of a lengthto span the adjoining gate members I 4, I6, theweb portion l9ofsuch 7 a 3 keeper being @provided with a medial slot having the outer end expanded in the form of a rectangular cut-out 2!, for a purpose later explained; while the paralleling sides of the keeper I8 are, in part, outwardly angled to provide coplanar fianges 22 whereby said keeper is rigidly attachable to the members [4, l6, as by through bolts 23. Preferably, and as best understood from Fig. 3 the web portion I9 is inwardly inclined relative to the plane of the gate I2; or in other words the outer end of the keeper [8 is further away from said gate than at its inner end. Attention is also directed to the fact that the over-all width across the keeper flanges 22 corresponds with the spacial dimension intervening the gate members I3 so that the keeper I! is firmly buttressed against planarly-related shifting in all directions.

Movably fitting the hollow or Wedge-shaped channel 2 3 of the keeper I! is a longitudinally grooved slide or oblong holder 25; said holder embodying a web portion 26 having approximately rectangular-section ribs 21 along its major sides to define an intervening groove, and a medially-lengthwise slot 23; as well as a T-section manipulator knob the head portion 29 whereof is of a size for passage through the keeper cutout 2!, while the rectangular-section shank 38 is freely slidable along the slot 23 in said keeper is, as later. explained.

For maintenance of the keeper I8 and holder 2| in cooperative relation use is made of a screwstud 3!, preferably having a rectangular head 32 for slidable movement along the groove defined by and intervening the spaced ribs 2! of the holder 25, while the threaded-shank portion of said stud is fitted with a wing-nut 33 for clamping engagement against a pad 34 on the outer face of the keeper 5 8, all as readily understood by those conversant with the art.

Particular attention is directed, at this juncture to the fact that the holder ribs 27 are extended outwardly beyond the beveled blade-like end 35 of the holder 2| to provide spaced penetrating teeth 35, preferably of substantially triangular cross-section to enable easy embedment in'the woodlining 8, suchteeth preferably having theouter and upper faces 31, 38 respectively fiat; whereas the inner face is curvilinearly chamfered down to a knife edge 39 as shown to best advantage in Fig. 5, but likewise clearly understandable on an examination of Figs. 2 to 4.

It will now be clearly seen that the holder 25 and its teeth 35 as well as the blade-like end part 35 respectively penetrate and snub the car lining 8 at an angle countering the direction of load shocks, which feature is highly important since it results in positive resistance without appreciable damage to said lining while at the same time holding the freight l0, 1 I, against shifting.

,..Having outlined the structural features of my improved bracing device or unit I? it will be readily understood that four such units are conveniently attached by through bolts 23 immediately above, and similarly below, the lowermost and uppermost horizontals l3 of the gate 12, see Fig. 1; whereas the length of said gate is such as to ensure clearance at each end when placed intermediate the lining walls 8 of a conventional truck-body or box-car. Now it will be clearly appreciated that by provision of the slidable holder 25 in the bracing unit I! of this invention that the gate l2 can be efiectively used in trucks or box-cars of greater width; or, in other Words, in trucks or box-cars of maximum width permitted by railroad and other transportation regulations, incident to the outward extensibility of said holders 25. It will also be appreciated that prior to placing the gate l2 in position against the freight I0, II, for example, that the holders 25 will have been previously retracted, or moved out of harmful projection, within the respectively associated units l1 and so retained by tightening-up the wing-nuts 33. This feature of retractability of the holders 25 is also highly advantageous in that it ensures protection for the teeth 36 against injury, or being the cause of damage, when the gate I 2 is not in use or stored away. After the gate [2 has been applied against the freight H], H all that is necessary to do is to consecutively release the wing-nuts 33 and to slide the holder 25, by aid of the manipulator head or knob 29, outwards until the teeth 36 impact the confronting wood-lining 8, when by a few blows against the inner side of said knob, with a hammer or other appropriate article, the teeth 36 can be readily driven into penetrative engagement with the lining 8 or until the beveled edge 35 also impinges the lining 8, whereupon the associated wing-nut 33 is tightened-up with resultant locking of the holder 25 in active position. Corresponding procedure is followed with each of the units 25 until the gate l2, as a whole, will be rigidly located in effective service position.

It is to be observed that the teeth 36, by virtue of their particular formation, enable easy imbedment thereof in the wood-lining 8 due to the sharp edges defined by the respective flat and relatively curved faces 31, 38 and 40 inclusive. More specifically the curved faces 38, 40 materially assist penetration as well as prevent scraping of the lining 8. When the truck or car receives transit shocks the fiat faces 31, 38 positively resist any tendency to give under such shocks, into which they have recessed, under all normal operating conditions. It is also noteworthy that when the blade-like edge of the beveled portion 35 of the slidable holder 25 impinges the lining 8 it does so with a snubber-like action, due to its K-like angular engagement, with that of the teeth 36, whereby said holder 25 cannot move or become accidentally dislodged. This feature is further fortified by the location of the tooth fiat face 31, counterwise, or in opposition, to the beveled edge portion 35, whereby the rigid retaining capacity of the holder 25 is considerably enhanced; while it has been found in actual practice, with the parts 35 and 36 set-up as aforesaid, that it is practically impossible to move the teeth 36 under heavy shocks or excessive pressure.

' Another advantage inhering to this invention is that the teeth 38- and bevel 35, due to their particular formation and angle of penetration, have been found to result in but negligible damage to the lining 8 inasmuch as, under general service shocking of the parts the brace unit H, as a whole, is rigidly held in place; whereas the gate l2 can be easily installed or removed without any special teaching, or the necessity of using toolsother than ahammer or similar article. Still further under rigorous tests the unit I! has proven its ability to withstand all normal transportation shocks, and to effectively hold in place, separate, or otherwise protect light, fragile, or perishable merchandise; just as well as preventing shifting of heavier grades of freight during transit.

From all the foregoing it will be understood that by the herein disclosed invention there is provided a readily set-up or removable barrier,

bulkhead partition, or gate, which fully answers all the objectives set forth in the prefatory paragraphs of this specification; while it is of a type equally effective in beam form, or otherwise as desired, inasmuch as it can be easily installed in various positions and directions other than the one described with corresponding advantages.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A load brace for freight transporting vehicles comprising a freight abutment member; opposedly-effective securing units rigidly attached to said member; each such unit including a keeper with a wedge-shaped passage therethrough and a holder slidable therein; spaced teeth at the outer end of the holder with an intervening beveledge respectively adapted to inclinedly-penetrate and impinge opposed wall faces of the vehicle counterwise to transit load shocks; means whereby the keeper and holder are maintained in cooperative assembly; and means whereby the holder may be held retracted within the keeper or arrested at differential extension relative to said keeper.

2. A load brace for freight transporting vehicles comprising an abutment partition composed of rigidly connected horizontal and vertical members; aligned opposedly-eifective bracing units rigidly attached to said partition intermediate adjoining pairs of the horizontal and vertical members; each such unit including a keeper with a wedge-shaped groove therethrough; a holder member slidable in the groove of said keeper and having spaced teeth with an intervening beveledge at its outer end, said teeth and bevel-edge inclinedly-engaging opposed inner walls of the vehicle counterwise to transit load shocks; means whereby the keeper and toothed holder are retained in operative connection; and means effective to maintain the toothed holder retracted into the keeper, or to arrest said holder variably extended outwards relative to said keeper.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the abutment partition is in the form of a gate comprising rigidly connected spaced horizontal members, with end and a medially-located vertical members; wherein said gate is reinforced at the ends py relatively spaced inwardly-located additional vertical members; and wherein the partion securing units have overall dimensions, lengthwise and laterally, to span the end and relatively spaced vertical members, as well as to snugly fit between proximate horizontal members, whereby said units are buttressed against planar shifting with respect to the gate.

4. A securing device for freight braces comprising an inclined keeper with a wedge-shaped passage therethrough and including means for its attachment to the brace abutment member; a holder slidable in the passage through the keeper, said holder embodying wall-penetrative projections with an intervening inclined edge at its outer end; means maintaining the keeper and holder in operative connection and effective to enable relative extension; and means whereby the holder may be arrested telescopically within the keeper, or firmly secured at differential relative extension.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the keeper is in the form of a channel-section shallower at one end than. at the other and having the flange portions, in part, outwardly angled to form coplanar attachment means; and wherein the web portion of said keeper is provided with a medial slot having an enlargement at one end, for the purpose specified.

6. The invention. of claim l wherein the web portion of the keeper is provided with a medial slot having a rectangular enlargement at one end; wherein the holder is in the form of a longitudinally grooved slide having spaced wall-penetrative approximately-triangular section teeth with an intervening reversely effective bevel edge at its outer end; and wherein said holder embodies a manipulator knob engageable through the keeper medial slot.

'7. The invention of claim 4 wherein the holder is in the form of an oblong slide having approximately rectangular-section ribs along the major sides thereof to define an intervening groove; and wherein said ribs are extended outwardly beyond the inclined edge of the slide to provide wall-penetrative teeth; wherein the said teeth have the outer and upper faces respectively flat; and wherein the inner faces of said teeth are chamfered down to define knife edges for the purpose specified.

8. The invention of claim 4 wherein. the means maintaining the keeper and holder in operative connection consists of a T-section manipulator knob; wherein the head portion of such knob is of a size for outward passage through a complementally contoured cut-out in the keeper; and wherein the shank portion of said knob is of rectangular cross-section for slidable movement along a slot extending from the keeper cut-out aforesaid.

9. The invention of claim 4 wherein the means for arresting and securing the holder in telescoped or extended position relative to the keeper comprise a screw-stud having a suitably-shaped head for non-rotative engagement in a groove in the holder inner surface; and wherein said screwstud is fitted with a wing-nut for rigid clamping coaction. against the outer face of the keeper.

WILLIAM F. EISENSMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 966,780 Thomas Aug. 9,1910 1,327,634 Short Jan. 13, 1920 1,336,569 Lathrop Apr. 13, 1920 1,719,367 Grim July 2, 1929 1,781,318 Bylngton Nov. 11, 19 30 2,204,075 Eisensmith June 11,1940 

